HP Acthar Gel

[markt]

Anyone using HP Athar Gel for RA or Sjogrens?  This is a FDA approved medication.

It appears to have an immune modulating effect on several B-Cell lymphoproliferative diseases (RA, AS, MS, etc...):

https://arthritis-research.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s13075-015-0823-y#Sec2

These experiments are the first to demonstrate that a clinically utilized ACTH preparation (H.P. Acthar? gel) exerts direct immunomodulatory effects on human B cells activated in vitro. The findings suggest potential for such agents in the treatment of autoimmune diseases characterized by abnormal B-cell activation.

Acthar has US Food and Drug Administration approval for treatment of a number of autoimmune conditions, including the treatment of acute exacerbations of multiple sclerosis, during an exacerbation or as maintenance therapy in selected cases of systemic lupus erythematosus, dermatomyositis, and polymyositis, and as adjunctive therapy for short-term administration in psoriatic arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and ankylosing spondylitis (Acthar prescribing information). The therapeutic effects of ACTH preparations in human autoimmune disorders have historically been believed to be the consequence of the stimulatory effect of the hormone on adrenal cortisol production and secretion [10, 11, 25].

[markt]

https://clinicaltrials.gov/ProvidedDocs/18/NCT03398018/Prot_SAP_000.pdf

From the attached Article:

Repository corticotropin injection (RCI) is an adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) analog with a broad approval for many inflammatory conditions, including those of ophthalmic origin. ACTH and its analogs have been shown to suppress inflammation in a steroid-independent manner.6 ACTH can inhibit tissue-specific leukocyte migration and can downregulate proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines.6,7 Although HP Acthar Gel is a currently approved RCI indicated for the treatment of anterior segment inflammation, there are no known reports assessing its role specifically in KCS. Therefore, the purpose of this pilot study is to assess RCI in the form of HP Acthar Gel in patients with severe KCS who have failed with previous conventional therapy.

[Linda196]

This is something I discussed with the Endo when he was working me up for Diabetes Insipidus ( false alarm) The primary difference seems to be that traditionally a person with DI either injected or inhaled vasopressin (ACTH) daily, while with the injected gel it performs like a time release. At the time there was no mention of any benefit for other AIs, although I already has a few diagnoses

[markt]

Thanks Linda,

I'd be curious what the results of such studies are... KCS is inflammatory/auto immune induced dry-eye.  So I can't help but wonder... some of these articles make it sound like it addresses the heart of the matter with an immune mediating effect.